Throughout history, marginalized groups and communities have sought ways to denounce human rights violations and make their voices heard. Some take to the streets while others resort to boycotts. Regardless of the method, their goal is the same: to compel those in power to acknowledge their grievances and to act accordingly. In Rwanda, this struggle for dignity and democracy is embodied in Ingabire Day, an annual event observed on October 14, the day that Ms. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, a prominent opposition leader, was arrested in 2010. Ms. Ingabire was jailed after challenging the Rwandan government's controversial reconciliation policies and after announcing her intention to run against President Paul Kagame in the 2010 presidential election.
Ingabire’s subsequent conviction and 15-year prison sentence — based on accusations including the alleged minimization of the 1994 genocide — was widely condemned as politically motivated. Numerous international organizations, including human rights groups, the U.S. State Department, and the European Union, denounced her trial and conviction as fundamentally unjust. The African Court of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) also ruled that the Rwandan government violated Ms. Ingabire’s rights to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as her right to an adequate defense. Since, Ms. Ingabire has become a powerful symbol of the broader struggle for democracy, civil liberties, and human rights in Rwanda.
Though Ingabire Day was initially centered on spotlighting her unfair imprisonment, the day now transcends her story, representing the ongoing battle for justice and freedom in Rwanda. It is worth pointing out that while Ms. Ingabire was released in 2018 – after serving eight years of her sentence – her freedom remains severely restricted. To this day, she continues to face constant surveillance and intimidation by authorities. She is also unable to exercise her political rights nor travel abroad to visit her family.
Since its inception in 2014, Ingabire Day has gained traction, with Rwandan communities in Europe, Australia, and, since 2019, even in Rwanda, observing it each year. The latter is no small feat given that the Rwandan government has been widely criticized for its systematic human rights abuses, including the repression of political opposition, censorship of the media, and crackdowns on civil liberties. These violations are highlighted each year on Ingabire Day, drawing attention to specific cases where individuals have been unlawfully detained, harassed, or subjected to intimidation by state authorities.
One of the most alarming cases occurred in October 2021, when eight members of an opposition political party, and one independent journalist, were arrested as they prepared to commemorate Ingabire Day. These individuals were detained on dubious grounds, accused of organizing a gathering deemed illegal by the government. The case eventually escalated to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which recently found that the arrests were in violation of both local and international laws and recommended their immediate release. This particular case is emblematic of Rwanda’s broader pandemic of arbitrary detention. Opposition leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, and activists are frequently targeted, arrested without fair trials, and detained for extended periods of time under harsh conditions. Many are charged with "incitement" or "threats to national security" as a pretext.
A similar case is that of two prominent independent journalists, Theoneste Nsengimana and Dieudonné Niyonsenga, also known as Cyuma, who have been incarcerated since 2021. Nsengimana, the founder of the popular YouTube channel Umubavu TV, was arrested after posting a video related to Ingabire Day. His arrest followed years of attempts by authorities to stifle his voice. Similarly, Niyonsenga, an outspoken journalist with a large online following, was sentenced to several years in prison on trumped-up charges. Both journalists remain in detention where reports of torture have surfaced. Both of these cases are now part of a growing international outcry against the Rwandan government’s violent suppression of free speech. A communication was sent in this regard by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, along with other UN experts, to the Government of Rwanda on April 3, 2024. The document remained confidential for 60 days to allow the government time to respond. The government failed to provide a response.
Other cases advocated during Ingabire Day include those of YouTube personalities like Karasira Aimable and Yvonne Idamange, who have criticized the Rwandan government’s policies and human rights record. The charges against these individuals are often vague, such as “spreading false information” or “insulting the president,” and are primarily used as a tool for censorship.
Through Ingabire Day, the Rwandan diaspora also plays a pivotal role in keeping the Rwandan fight for human rights and democracy in the international spotlight. Many members of the diaspora have been forced into exile due to their opposition to the Rwandan government’s repressive policies. From abroad, they advocate for change, support victims of political repression, and organize initiatives like Ingabire Day to ensure that the struggle for justice is not forgotten. To date, social media campaigns, collaborations with human rights organizations, and diplomatic efforts by the diaspora have been instrumental in bringing attention to the ongoing human rights abuses in Rwanda. These efforts are essential in pressuring the Rwandan government and rallying international support for further investigations into the country’s abysmal human rights record.
As Rwandans celebrate Ingabire Day this year, it is critical to emphasize that this is a worldwide event. It is a global rallying cry for justice, freedom, and democracy. By amplifying the voices of those advocating for change, the Rwandan diaspora hopes to push for accountability and systemic reforms in their home country. This is why it is crucial that Ingabire Day receives broader media coverage. The cases of repression, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on free speech are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of systemic abuse in Rwanda. Increased global attention can help protect activists, journalists, and opposition figures from further harm. When the world is watching, governments find it harder to act with impunity.
And this is why the international community must stand in solidarity with the people of Rwanda. By supporting the call for justice and freedom, we can – together — help to ensure that the voices of dissent are not forever silenced, and that the ongoing human rights crisis in Rwanda is addressed. Only through collective action and global awareness can we bring about lasting change for all Rwandans.
Denise Zaneza is a human rights activist dedicated to advocating for peace, democracy, and the rule of law in Rwanda and the broader Great Lakes region. Follow on Twitter: @dzaneza
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Vanguard Africa, the Vanguard Africa Foundation, or its staff.